Nonprofits

Blue Rectangle, that fun and funky bookstore at 1355 Park St., is making life a little sweeter for Alameda nonprofit groups. Store owner Mike Johnson throws a monthly nonprofit night, where representatives from various organizations get three to five minutes to have their say as to why they should win the $200 the store donates. The winning pitch is chosen by a vote of the attendees, and the nonprofit also receives 100 percent of the evening’s raffle prizes. The store also provides snacks and drinks. And the raffle prizes aren’t bad at all, according to store employee Sam Johnson, who won a $200 gift certificate for a massage.

The next Nonprofit Night will be Tuesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. The lineup of speakers are the Frank Bette Center, the Cougar Cadet Drum Corps, Girls Inc. and Alameda Point Collaborative.